Schizophrenia Research
Volume 56, Issue 1 , Pages 95-103, 1 July 2002

The relationship between positive symptoms and instrumental work functioning in schizophrenia: A 10year follow-up study

  • J.Meg Racenstein

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
    • ,
  • Martin Harrow

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Address: Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Institute, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612 USA. Tel: +1-312-996-3585
    • ,
  • Robyn Reed

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
    • ,
  • Eileen Martin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
    • ,
  • Ellen Herbener

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
    • ,
  • David L Penn

      Affiliations

    • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA

Received 15 September 2000; received in revised form 24 May 2001; accepted 24 May 2001.

Abstract 

This longitudinal investigation was designed to determine the association between the positive symptoms of psychosis and instrumental work functioning among patients with schizophrenia in comparison to patients with affective disorders. 173 participants were assessed prospectively for the presence of psychosis and concurrent work adjustment using a series of standardized measures at four consecutive follow-ups over a 10yr period. The data demonstrate a significant relationship between psychosis and increased impairment in work functioning across diagnostic groups for three of the four follow-up periods (p<0.01), with this relationship being most consistent for the schizophrenia patients throughout the course of their disorder (p<0.01). The more severely psychotic patients, regardless of diagnosis, are least likely to be working effectively; however, the debilitating effect of psychosis on work adjustment is most evident for schizophrenia patients.

Keywords:  Schizophrenia, Work functioning, Psychosis, Psychosocial functioning, Delusions, Hallucinations

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PII: S0920-9964(01)00273-0

doi:10.1016/S0920-9964(01)00273-0

Schizophrenia Research
Volume 56, Issue 1 , Pages 95-103, 1 July 2002

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